Flexible chain closure for shoes



June 15, 1943. I A w, KQEHLER 2,321,754

FLEXIBLE CHAIN CLOSURE FOR SHOES Filed Sept. 1, 1942 sq as G 60 INVENTCR.

' l7. W KOEHLER BY RNEY g I Patented June 15, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLEXHBLE CHAIN CLOSURE FOR SHOES Arthur W. Koehler, Pasadena, Calif. Application September 1, 1942, SerialNo. 456,877

. 6 Claims (01. 24-140) This invention relates to a flexible chain closure for shoes.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved closure for a shoe wherein a flexible member such as a chain is employed for quickly moving the portions of the shoe together.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a shoe closure device wherein the upper of the shoe is provided with eyelet members through which a chain passes and wherein by pulling the ends of the chain a closing effect Will be secured.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe closure including novel eyelet members arranged upon opposite sides of a shoe upper and wherein a chain member is inserted through the eyelets and is crossed, whereupon pulling one end of the chain causes the opposed eyelets to be pulled together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure device for shoes wherein a flexible member including crossed portions is slidably mounted upon the shoe and wherein novel means is provided for holding the ends of the flexible member in shoe-closing position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a shoe showing my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1 with the chain removed;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. l, with the tongue omitted;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views taken on lines 5-5 and 6--B, Fig. 1 respectively.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a modified fastening member;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a companion modified fastening member;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the companion fastening member;

Fig. 10 is an end view of the companion fastening member;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the modified fastening member;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view showing the modified fastening members connected and with the tongue on the companion fastening member broken away and with the rivet in section;

iii)

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of a further modified fastening member;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of a further modified companion fastening member;

Fig. 15 is a front view showing the further modified members connected; and

Fig. 16 is a side elevation showing the modified fastening members connected.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have shown my invention as embodied in a shoe which is indicated generally at Ill. The shoe disclosed is merely typical of one type of footwear with which my invention is adapted to be used, and it will be understood that my closure device may be used with shoes, boots, overshoes and similar footwear.

Referring to the drawing the shoe includes an upper having a pair of side portions II and. [2. Each of the side portions is provided with a turned-under flap I3 and with a plurality of apertures l4 arranged along the fold line of the flap. The apertures I4 are arranged in opposed pairs. The shoe is provided with a tongue l5 of the usual construction.

In each of the apertures I4 I arrange a neck portion I6 of an eyelet member which includes a body portion I! having an aperture I8 there through. Each eyelet further includes an eye l9 (Fig. 6). The axes of the eyes 19 are disposed at right angles to the axis of the apertures I8. The side portions are provided with apertures 20 aligned with the apertures l8 and through these apertures fastening members such as rivets 2| extend. The rivets serve to hold the eyelet members in place.

Adjacent the upper free end of the tongue I5 I provide an eyelet 22 (Fig. 5) which passes through an aperture 23 in the tongue l5 and is arranged below the tongue IS. The eyelet 22 is held in place by stitches 24 which pass through the tongue 15, the flap l3 and the side portion II.

Between the lower pair of eyelets the front portion 2! of the shoe is provided with an inwardly turned tongue 28. This tongue forms a loop 29 and through the loop 29 and through each of the eyes I9 I extend a small flexible chain 30 which may be made of metal or other suitable material. To the loop 29 I secure a rivet 3| which passes through one link of the chain 30 and prevents the chain from slipping.

The two lengths of the chain after passing through the loop 29, the eyes l9, and the eye 22, are engaged by a downwardly turned guide member 32 (Fig. 3) which passes through a slit 33 in the side l2 and is secured in place by a rivet 34. The free ends of the chain engage a hook member which includes a base 36 held in place by rivets 31 and a rearwardly turned hook member 38.

In use, the shoe is placed upon the foot and the end of the chain grasped and pulled. The links of the chain pass freely through the eye members and are caught beneath the eye member 32. The ends 39 of the chain 30 are secured to an end link of a larger chain 40. The chain 40 engages the hook member 31 to hold the chain in adjusted position.

In Figs. '7 to 12 inclusive I ShOW a modified fastening member wherein the fastening element 5|] (Fig. 7) is connected to the chain 30'. The element includes a body part having a notch 5| and having a tongue 52. The body also includes a flange 53 (Fig. 11).

The companion fastening member (Fig. 8) includes a body 54 having a folded-over tongue 55 spaced from the body by a .portion 55'. The body 54 is attached to the shoe in the same location as that occupied by the base member 35, as shown in Fig. 1. A rivet 56 passes from the body 54 through the tongue 55. The body 54 is secured to the shoe and when the parts interlock as shown in Fig. 12 the chain will be held in secure position. To release the member 59 from the member 54, the member 5! is swung 5 upwardly about the axis of the rivet 56 until the shoulder 51 on the tongue 52 can pass between the rivet and the adjacent portion 55' of the tongue 55. The member 50 may then be lifted vertically so that the members 58 and 54 are in the relative position shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawing.

In Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive I show a modification of my invention wherein the element 60 is connected with the chain 38" and provided with a hook portion SI and a flange 62 (Fig. 16). The companion fastening member 63 includes a tongue 64 secured to the body by a bent portion 65. The body 63 is attached .to the shoe. Ihe parts are shown in a connected position in Fig. 15.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have invented a novel shoe-closure means which can be economically manufactured and which is highly eflicient for its intended purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A shoe construction including an upper having a pair of opposed side portions, each of the side portions having an inwardly turned flap thereon, and having a plurality of apertures arranged in opposed pairs along the line on which the flaps join the side portions, a pluralityoi eyelets, each eyelet including a body portion arranged between the flaps and the side portions,and a neck, the necks extending through said apertures, means to secure said eyelets in place, each eyelet neck having an eye portion secured thereto, said eyes having their axes disposed at right angles to the axes of said heads. a chain member passing through said eyes, said shoe having a tongue thereon, an eyelet mounted on said tongue above the pairs of eyelets and intermediate said side portions, one portion of said chain extending'through said tongue eyelet, and securing means mounted on the lower end of the tongue and engaging the chain to prevent movement of the lower portion of the chain.

2. A shoe construction includingan upper having a pair of opposed side portions, each of the side portions having an inwardly turned flap thereon, and having a plurality of apertures arranged in opposed pairs along the line on which the flaps join the side portions, a plurality of pairs of eyelets, each eyelet including a body portion arranged between the flaps and the side portions, and a neck, the necks extending through said apertures, means to secure said eyelets in place, each eyelet neck having an eye portion secured thereto, said eyes having their axes disposed at right angles to the axes of said heads, a chain member passing through said eyes, said shoe having a tongue thereon, an eyelet mounted on said tongue above the pairs of eyelets and intermediate said side portions, one

portion of said chain extending through said tongue eyelet, and securing means mounted on the lower end of the tongue and engaging the chain to prevent movement of the lower portion of the chain.

3. A shoe construction including an upper having a pair of opposed side portions, each of the side portions having an inwardly turned flap thereon, and having a plurality of apertures arranged in opposed pairs along the line on which the flaps join the side portions, a plurality of eyelets, each eyelet including a body portion arranged between the flaps and the side portions, and a neck, the necks extending through said apertures, said side portions having a plurality of holes therein, each hole being aligned with an aperture, the eyelet bodies having heads passing through the holes and riveted upon the upper .f-aceof the side portions, each eyelet neck having an eye portion secured thereto, said eyes having their axes disposed at right angles to the axes of said heads, a chain member passing through said eyes, said shoe having a tongue thereon, an eyelet disposed on said tongue above the uppermost pair of eyelets and intermediate said side portions, said tongue having an aperture receiving the neck of said tongue eyelet, one portion of said chain extending through said tongue eyelet, and securing meansmounted on the lower end of the tongue and engaging the chain to prevent movement of the lower portion of the chain.

4. A shoe construction including an upper having a pair of opposed side portions, each of the side portions having an inwardly turned fiap thereon, and having a plurality of apertures arranged in opposed pairs along the line on which the flaps join the side portions, a plurality of eyelets, each eyelet including a body portion arranged between the flaps and the side portions, and a neck, the necks extending through said apertures, said side portions having a plurality of holes therein, each hole being aligned with an aperture, the eyelet bodies having heads secured to the side portions, each eyelet neck having an eye portion secured thereto, a chain member passing through said eyelets, said shoe having a tongue thereon, an eyelet disposed on said tongue above the uppermost pair of eyelets and intermediate said side portions, said tongue having an aperture receiving the neck of said tongue eyelet one portion of said chain extending through said tongue eyelet, said shoe at the lower end of said tongue having a tongue flap thereon, and means on said tongue flap engaging said chain to prevent movement of that portion of the chain which .is adjacent to the tongue flap.

.5. A shoe construction including an upper having a pair of opposed side portions, each of the side portions having an inwardly turned'flap thereon, 'each side portion having a plurality of apertures arranged in opposed pairs along the line on which the flaps join the side portions, a plurality of eyelets, each eyelet including a body portion arranged between the flaps and the side portions, and a neck, the necks extending through said apertures, said side portions having a plurality of holes therein, each hole being aligned with an aperture, the eyelet bodies having heads passing through the holes and riveted upon the upper face of the side portions, each eyelet neck having an eye portion secured thereto, said eyes having their axes disposed at right angles to the axes of said heads, a chain member passing through said eyes, said shoe having a tongue thereon, an eyelet disposed on said tongue above the uppermost pair of eyelets, and intermediate said side portions, said tongue having an aperture receiving the neck of said tongue eyelet, one portion of said chain extending through said tongue eyelet, said shoe at the lower end of said tongue having a tongue flap thereon and means on said flap engaging said chain to prevent movement of that portion of the chain which is adja cent to the tongue flap.

6. A shoe construction including an upper having a pair of opposed side portions, each of the side portions having an inwardly turned flap thereon, and having a plurality of apertures arranged in opposed pairs along the line on which the flaps join the side portions, a plurality of eyelets, each eyelet including a body portion arranged between the flaps and the side portions, and a neck, the necks extending through said apertures, said side portions having a plurality of holes therein, each hole being aligned with an aperture, the eyelet bodies having heads passing through the holes and riveted upon the upper face of the side portions, each eyelet neck having an eye secured thereto, said eyes having their axes disposed at right angles to the axes of said heads, a chain member passing through said eyes, said shoe having a tongue thereon, an eyelet disposed on said tongue above the uppermost pair of eyelets, and intermediate said side portions, said tongue having an aperture receiving the neck of said tongue eyelet, one portion of said chain extending through said tongue eyelet, said shoe at the lower end of said tongue having a tongue flap thereon and means on said flap engaging said chain to prevent movement of that portion of the chain which is adjacent to the tongue flap.

ARTHUR W. KOEHLER. 

